How to steam food in the microwave

Microwave is a home appliance that can make life in the kitchen easier. In addition to defrosting and reheating food, the microwave oven can also be used to quickly prepare delicious recipes, including steaming food.

Steaming food in the microwave has many health benefits as well as weight management. Because when processing food with a microwave oven, it is possible to retain a significant amount of water in food, and at the same time maintain the nutritional properties, vitamins and mineral salts available in the food.
Dishes will require less seasoning such as: oils, butter and sauces because steaming does not make the food dry, but also retains the fleshy and succulent taste. As a result, you can enjoy delicious foods with fewer calories.
You also get these benefits from steaming the traditional way or using a food steamer, but microwaves steam food faster.

The first step in how to steam food with a microwave is to ensure food safety and hygiene, including choosing the right type of food container to carry out this process. If the box that came with the microwave isn't available, you'll need to purchase one of the microwave steamers, which are special plastic containers made up of a bowl with a lid and a steaming basket. . Just add two or three cups of water at the bottom and you're ready to cook.

How to steam food in the microwave allows you to prepare many delicious, nutritious recipes very quickly and cleanly. This method is especially suitable for vegetables such as: cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, asparagus, beans, peas or Brussels sprouts. You just need to set the microwave power to about 500 Watt and wait for about 2 to 8 minutes to enjoy a delicious plate of vegetables. Rice also absorbs well in the microwave because there's no need to wait for the water to boil or dirty the pan.
The first step to cooking rice in the microwave is to rinse the rice grains to remove the starch from the surface and not stick when cooking the rice. After that, it is very helpful to soak the rice a little so that the grain begins to rehydrate. Put the rice in a microwaveable container (maybe with a lid), add water and salt. Set the power to 700 Watt and set the cooking time, note that the ratio of rice to water is 1:2 and 100 grams of rice will take about 8 minutes, adjust the time to the quantity.
With a little imagination, you can use the microwave as a food steamer to steam meat and fish, creating flavorful chicken, beef, pork, sea bass, cod dishes in many different ways. . Alternatively, you can add aroma or flavor to foods by adding a little spice or herb to the cooking water.

Steaming vegetables will better retain the color, texture, flavor and nutritional content. Steaming is also considered as one of the simplest ways to prepare vegetables and can be done in a few minutes.
There are two ways to steam vegetables using the stove or the microwave. Both of these methods are quick and easy to do and give the same results. But for each different vegetable is done in different time and temperature.
To make this recipe does not require you to prepare elaborately. Most people will use utensils that are readily available in the kitchen: pots, lids, and bottles, and that's all it takes to steam on the stove. As for how to steam food in the microwave, a microwave-safe bowl and plastic wrap are essential.
4.1. The Traditional Method for Steaming Vegetables As a general rule, when steaming on the stove, you'll need a large pot and a steaming basket or colander that fits inside. Fill the pot with enough water to just cover the bottom of the steamer basket.
After the water is boiled, add the vegetables and cover the top with a tight lid. If your lid fits the pot, position it so that the lid can be ajar and the steaming water escapes.

4.2. Steaming vegetables in the microwave When steaming in the microwave, the procedure is the same as the traditional method. Put the vegetables in a microwave-safe bowl, do not add more water than needed to rinse the vegetables before washing. Use cling film to cover the mouth of the bowl to ensure microwave safety, leave an angle open to allow steam to escape. Each vegetable will have a different cooking time and also depends on the size and thickness of the dish. they. Below, you'll find some of the more common steamed vegetables and their cooking times for both microwave and stovetop steaming.

5.1. Some vegetables are used to steam in the microwave Asparagus : Put the asparagus in and steam for about 4 minutes for thin pieces. Add a minute or two for thicker pieces. The time to steam asparagus in the microwave is the same 4 to 6 minutes. Broccoli: Steam broccoli on the stovetop for about 3 to 8 minutes. Watch the broccoli's color change and you'll know when the broccoli is done. Continue to microwave broccoli for 3 to 5 minutes. Brussels sprouts: You should steam Brussels sprouts for about 10 minutes. Brussels sprouts cook faster in the microwave, in about 7 minutes. Carrots: A carrot sliced ​​about 1/4th takes about 6 to 8 minutes when steaming on the stovetop and about 5 minutes in the microwave. Cauliflower: The cauliflower will steam on the stove for about 6 minutes. Steaming cauliflower in the microwave takes about 3 to 4 minutes. Green beans: Using the stove to steam green beans takes about 3 to 5 minutes, and with the microwave, it takes 3 to 4 minutes. Peas: Using the stove to steam the peas takes about 3 minutes. Incubating peas in the microwave takes 1 to 2 minutes. Zucchini: On the stovetop, steam the zucchini for 6 to 7 minutes, and 6 to 8 minutes in the microwave.

5.2. Some foods should not be microwaved to steam Eggs: The dish is quite popular with many people. However, steaming eggs in the microwave can cause an explosion. Because during the heating process, the amount of solution inside the egg will increase in pressure without holes to escape the gas, which will lead to explosion. Fruit: When using a microwave to steam fruit, it will cause most of the nutritional components in the fruit to lose, and will also cause plasma gas explosion to damage the oven. Nearly cooked meat: or rare meat contains quite a lot of potential factors related to bacteria. If you use a microwave to steam, some bacteria may not be killed. Potatoes: When steamed in the microwave, it can explode. Bread: Using a microwave to steam bread will lose the starch association in the bread. Moreover, it will make the bread dry, reducing the typical delicious taste of bread. Microwave is now an almost indispensable device for every family, taking advantage of the microwave to steam Food brings a lot of convenience, saves time and still ensures the deliciousness of each dish.

Reference source: thespruceeats.com